Top Car Museums Around the World

If you’re looking to see some fantastic cars - from modern models to classics from years gone by - there are some amazing museums around the world dedicated exclusively to the automotive industry. In fact, they make for a great excuse to plan a trip, with some amazing destinations across Europe, America and Asia featuring in our list.

From cars owned by royalty to cars you may have passed your test in, check out some of the top car museums around the world.

Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn, Michigan, USA)

Founded by Henry Ford, this car museum is not limited to just cars. The museum preserves Ford’s legacy with a tribute to his assembly line, a pivotal innovation that reshaped industries worldwide, and directly impacted the launch of the Ford Model T - the first affordable, mass-produced car.

Visitors also get the unique opportunity to learn about automotive history and its impact on American culture. It is home to some very notable vehicles, including the bus Rosa Parks objected to racism in, and the 1961 Lincoln Continental President John F. Kennedy was driven around in during his presidency.

It's family-friendly and offers immersive and interactive experiences for all to enjoy - including seasonal events and engineering exhibitions.

Musée National de l'Automobile (Mulhouse, France)

Though not home to the largest number of cars, the Musée National de l'Automobile still boasts some awe-inspiring statistics. This museum is split into three main sections: The Motorcar Experience, Motor Racing, and Motorcar Masterpieces.

Musée National de l'Automobile is home to 520 cars from 98 car brands and boasts the biggest Bugatti collection in the world, with 123 in its possession. The museum is designed beautifully, and encapsulates the beauty, history, and evolution of the automobile. French brands such as Citroen and Peugeot are highlighted, alongside other iconic European car brands, focusing on design and innovations in the engineering world that influenced car culture.

Visitors may even be lucky enough to be driven around or see rare cars taken out of the museum and onto the road, so it’s well worth keeping an eye on upcoming events if you’re planning a visit.

Toyota Automobile Museum (Nagoya, Japan)

Heading to East Asia, Japan has been paramount in the successes of car engineering. The Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagoya offers an extensive collection of vehicles beyond Toyota, and celebrates Japanese automotive heritage. The museum showcases how Japanese engineering changed the car market through its displays of the Toyota 2000GT, Nissan Skyline, and Mazda Cosmo models.

The Toyota Automobile Museum also demonstrates the innovations achieved by their design and engineering, and how their techniques revolutionised a more sustainable branch of automobiles. A unique element to this museum is its emphasis on how automotive transportation changed our lives. Showing the history of what cars do for societies all around the world; including how cars affect family life, leisure and work.

Reviews praise the museum, with one stating "It is car heaven, I tell you!". Certainly one for the bucket list should you find yourself in Japan!

The Louwman Museum (The Hague, Netherlands)

Boasting the oldest private collection, The Louwman Museum in the Netherlands is one of the most famous car museums in the world. The museum itself is architecturally stunning, with a focus on design and aesthetics for both the displays and the cars themselves.

The Louwman Museum is also a hotspot for motorsport enthusiasts, with its panoramic racing heritage collection offering visitors an excellent array of historic race cars - most notably Formula One models through to Le Mans champions. Visitors will leave understanding the evolution of speed and competition in car culture, and especially in motorsport.

Adding to the grandeur and beauty of the museum itself, reviews frequently admire the peacefulness of The Louwman Museum - making it the perfect place to lose a day.

Monaco Top Cars Collection (La Condamine, Monaco)

Home to one of the most prestigious Formula One races, Monaco Top Car Collection boasts an eclectic array of some of the exclusive and rare vehicles. With links to royalty, the Monaco Top Cars Collection is unique - Prince Rainer III of Monaco has his own collection of cars kept at the Museum. Most notably, the Bugatti Type 35 that William Grover-Williams drove in 1929 to win the first Monaco Grand Prix in.

Focusing on European excellence in the motoring world, the collection of cars the museum displays showcases some of the most premium brands. Notable models include cars from Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. With fine-tuned detail to all presentations, the Monaco Top Cars Collection creates a luxurious experience for all of its visitors.

British Motor Museum (Warwickshire, England)

Closer to home, car enthusiasts can celebrate British car manufacturing at the British Motor Museum. With over 300 cars on display, you can expect to marvel at models from brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, MG, Mini and Rolls-Royce. The museum hosts some of the most historically significant cars, including the Land Rover Defender from the Queen's Jubilee Tour.

A rather unique edition of the British Motor Museum is their 'Collection’, which is adjacent to their main building. This is home to a further 250 cars; many of these are prototypes or concept cars, which are also historically significant. There is the opportunity for visitors to take guided tours, to see these rarely-seen - or even heard-of - models up close.

There is much praise for the knowledgeable staff at the British Motor Museum, so if you’re interested in learning more about your favourite models, this is the place to head.

For all the car enthusiasts

For plenty more things to keep a car enthusiast entertained, check out our blog, where you can find tons of things to read - on everything from must-watch car films to the top scenic drives in Europe.

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